10 Best Bear Sprays 2020 [Buying Guide]

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How to Choose the Best Bear Spray

Do you go out in the woods a lot? If you do then you probably have a lot of gear, right? You take plenty of things with you to make sure that you’re safe out there. Whether that means warm clothes or sunscreen or bug spray you want to be prepared. But what is the best bear spray? Keeping yourself safe with the best bear sprays should be just as important as bringing that pair of hiking boots to protect your feet, and with these tips, you can find the best ones out there in our bear spray buying guide.

Holster: Is there an easy way to carry your bug spray around? Do you need to purchase a holster separately or are you going to get one included? This is something to consider when you decide what works for you.

Range: You definitely don’t want to get up close and personal with a bear, but just how far away can you stand and still be effective? Knowing what your range is before you get in a situation where you need it is definitely important.

Spray Time: How long can you spray? If a bear is coming toward you that’s something you’ll want to know. It’s generally a set number of seconds, but that number is going to be extremely important when you’re in the moment.

Safety Cap: How are you going to protect yourself from spraying the product before you need it? You need to have a safety cap, but not every spray that you find is going to offer a safety cap so take a look here to find out.

Pieces: How many pieces are there to the spray you choose? Does the whole thing come assembled in one piece? Does it come with something extra you’re going to need or want? Maybe you get more than one in a set.

Size: How big is the container that holds the spray? How much bear spray are you actually getting? Having an idea of that before you head out means you know just how safe you are (or aren’t) and what else you might need.

Top 10 Products

We’ve actually found several of the best bear spray options that you can choose from and each one is going to offer you some slightly different benefits or features. You want to make sure you have something that will work when you need it and we’ve done some research to find out just which ones those are. Hopefully, it will never come to that kind of situation, but just in case it does, you’ll be ready to go. Take a look at these to see more bear spray reviews.

Frontiersman Bear Spray

Our top pick in bear spray is the Frontiersman option, which comes in a 7.9 ounce container with a belt holster to be one of the best bear sprays on the market. That means you’ll always have it accessible and can pull it out and spray it quickly, as needed. With up to a 30 foot range, this bottle sprays up to 45 grams per second and creates a heavy fog. Rated to the maximum strength allowed by the EPA (2.0% major capsaicinoids), Frontiersman field tested it against a number of types of bears including black, brown and polar bears. Not only that but it is considered highly accurate and efficient, so you won’t be wasting your spray if you need it again. Certified by the ISO 9001:2008, this product is guaranteed to be high quality. If you’re still not sure, it’s also made by the same company that makes pepper sprays for police departments around the world. It even has a glow-in-the-dark safety clip so you can find it in the dark.

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SABRE 3-in-1 Pepper Spray

You always want to stick to the budget and yet you still want to be safe, which is why the SABRE 3-in-1 Pepper Spray here is our budget pick. This is the best bear spray review option for those with limited funds. This product includes UV marking dye and comes from the company that makes pepper spray for police around the world. It’s certified ISO 9001:2008 to ensure quality and it’s made in the USA. Designed to spray in a stream rather than a mist to reduce blowback, it works at a distance of 10 feet and provides up to 35 bursts. On top of that, the twist lock makes sure you won’t spray it on accident and the clip at the top can be secured anywhere you want. You’ll even get a training video to help you figure out how it works so you’re prepared when the moment comes. It’s 0.75 ounces and includes red pepper and CS military tear gas in the formula, making it extremely strong.

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Police Magnum Pepper Spray

The Police Magnum Pepper Spray here comes in a four pack so you’ll always have plenty available. It also has 3 ounces of spray in each canister. The safety top means that you don’t have to worry about an accidental discharge and the UV dye means if you ever have to use it on a person it will mark them for easy identification. It uses a 17% oleoresin capsicum solution that is non-toxic and non-flammable but will definitely stop anything in its tracks. It’s made in the USA and causes immediate burning of the skin and eyes as well as coughing and watery eyes but does not cause permanent injury. Similar to products that are already in use by police, this pepper spray can be deployed easily with just one hand and provides multiple blasts to provide even more protection. The size is small enough to fit easily in your pocket or bag but large enough to deter criminals.

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Counter Assault Bear Deterrent

The Counter Assault Bear Deterrent here comes in a 10.2 ounce container, so you’ll have enough to scare off any bear that comes in your path. It can reach between 12 and 32 feet and empties quickly, in only 9.2 seconds, so you’ll get all the power at the same time. It also has a safety cap to make sure you don’t discharge it accidentally and comes with a holster to make it easy to attach to a belt. The glow-in-the-dark safety tie means you’ll be able to find it even in the dark and it has 2% capsaicin, which is the highest amount allowed by the EPA. The large cloud that is created by the spray will deter most bears, but you can also aim for the face to deter them even more. It’s legal in all fifty states and will provide protection against most types of bears and is lightweight so it’s easier to carry along with you when you travel.

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Mace Brand Pepper Gel

This Mace Pepper Gel is designed with a 10% oleoresin capsicum formula, which comes from a combination of hot peppers to create a bear spray gun. It also contains a UV dye that will help to identify an individual if you do need to use it on a person. The fact that it’s actually a gel means that it’s actually safer for the user because it is thick and doesn’t spray back in the wind. The pistol style grip and handle also mean it’s easy to hold and even easier to use, including a safety pin release. With a 25 foot range, this canister will spray the entire 330 grams of its contents in 6 seconds. Legal in most states, this product can be put in a bag or connected to a belt clip. In fact, the clip is very sturdy and holds well against anything. It’s a small bottle, which makes it even easier to carry, though it’s still enough to protect you from just about anything.

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Guard Alaska Bear Spray

The Guard Alaska Bear Spray comes in a pack of two, 9 ounce bottles that include a holster with a belt clip for one of the best rated bear spray options. This makes them even easier to carry when you’re traveling or if you’re in the wilderness. Manufacture tested over a period of six years within the Alaskan wilderness, it’s actually registered with the EPA to be effective against all bears. Not only that but it has a range of up to 20 feet and can release all 9 ounces in just 9 seconds. If you prefer, it can also be fired off in shorter bursts. With 1.34% capsaicinoid formula, it has enough power to scare off anything but is still considered environmentally safe, without flammable or ozone reducing substances. The fog style spray covers the area more effectively but can cause some blow back if there is a lot of wind in the area. The safety cap ensures you won’t fire it by accident and the case itself holds the spray secure.

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UDAP Bear Spray

With the UDAP Bear Spray here you’re going to get a 2% formula of bear spray fog. That means when you spray it you’ll have a good size coating of protection to scare off anything that’s getting too close. Developed by an actual bear attack survivor, this spray has a 30 foot range and a camouflage hip holster that makes it easier to carry and easier to use quickly. Non-lethal but prepared to cause instant effect on eyes nose and lungs, this spray is EPA registered and works even down to 0 degree Fahrenheit. Not only that but the safety cap protects against accidental spray but releases quickly when needed. This 7.9 ounce canister is lightweight and easy to carry with you wherever you go. It sprays for approximately 4 seconds straight and expires 4 years after manufacture date. For those who like to head out into the wilderness, it can protect against just about anything that you will find there.

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Tornado Bear Spray

This Tornado Bear Spray comes in a 9 ounce canister that delivers 9.2 seconds of continuous spray. Even better, it gives off a fog style cloud that can reach up to 20 feet and even penetrates wet fur. Ideal for a range of different bears, this canister has a safety cap that ensures it won’t go off when you don’t want it to but is ready for anything when you do. The spray is lightweight and easy to carry around with you in a holster or in your bag. Ready to protect you against just about anything, this spray causes immediate irritation to the eyes and more when it is sprayed at anyone or anything. Make sure to watch the wind when you spray it as the finer aspect of the spray means it could blow back slightly. You will be able to quickly and easily release the safety when you need it so you can take care of an attacking bear or anything else.

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Mace Brand Bear Survival Kit

This Mace Bear Survival Kit actually comes with more than just a bear spray. You’ll get a strong bear spray and a holster that will easily allow you to carry it wherever you need. That way, you’ll have the spray right on your belt whenever a bear comes your way. Even more unique, however, is that you’ll get a recovery spray that can help you quickly bounce back if any of the spray happens to land on you while you’re protecting yourself. Of course, getting back to the pepper spray, it can create a thick cloud that reaches out up to 35 feet and empties in 6 seconds. This 9 ounce canister is lightweight and you’ll be protected by the safety cap on the top. When you are ready to deploy it, however, you’ll easily be able to do so by sliding the clip out of the way and pushing down. Super strong, it’s even made in the USA.

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Pepper Defense Bear Spray

This Guard Alaska Pepper Defense Spray is a 9 ounce canister with a belt clip to make it even easier to carry around with you. Just slide the spray into the holster and it’s right there on your hip when you’re in need of it. The cap has a safety latch that ensures you won’t spray it accidentally but it’s easy enough to open when it turns out you do need to use it. Manufacture tested for six years in the wilderness of Alaska, it’s actually registered safe to use on any and all types of bears. It can spray up to 20 feet away and releases the entire canister in 9 seconds. If you prefer, you can even fire it in bursts. The 1.34% capsaicinoid in the spray causes instantaneous burning in the eyes and throat. It’s considered environmentally safe and it has up to a four year shelf life. Just be careful about the wind direction when you spray it to stay safe.

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About the Author

Kimberly Graf

Expert Researcher and Writer

Kimberly Graf is a researcher and writer for GeekWrapped.com. She covers kitchen, cooking, and home products.

Best Bear Sprays

Top 10 Buying Guide

Our Recommendations

Frontiersman Bear Spray

SABRE 3-in-1 Pepper Spray

How to Choose the Best Bear Spray

Top 10 Products

Frontiersman Bear Spray

SABRE 3-in-1 Pepper Spray

Police Magnum Pepper Spray

Counter Assault Bear Deterrent

Mace Brand Pepper Gel

Guard Alaska Bear Spray

UDAP Bear Spray

Tornado Bear Spray

Mace Brand Bear Survival Kit

Pepper Defense Bear Spray

About the Author

TOP PICK

Frontiersman Bear Spray